Oh, as I was a-walking on a May morning
And sat down by an old lofty tree
All for to hear two lovers talk, to hear what they'd got to say
And to find out something more about courting
And it's T stands for Thomas, I suppose
J O N stands for John
W E and N stand for my sweet William
Because he is a clever young man
Come and sit down with me together on the grass
Sit down on the grass so very green
T'is a long three quarters of the year, darling dear
Since together you and I have been seen
And it's T stands for Thomas, I suppose
J O N stands for John
W E and N stand for my sweet William
Because he is a clever young man
No, I won't sit with you together on the grass
Not now nor at any other time
For I heard you were in love with another pretty girl
And your heart wasn't any longer mine
And it's T stands for Thomas, I suppose
J O N stands for John
W E and N stand for my sweet William
Because he is a clever young man
Oh, then I'll go and climb a lofty, lofty tree
And I'll rob a poor bird of his nest
And if ever I should then come down without having a fall
I'll get married to the lass I love best
And it's T stands for Thomas, I suppose
J O N stands for John
W E and N stand for my sweet William
Because he is a clever young man
Oh, then I'll go and climb a higher tree than that
And I'll harry a far richer nest
And if ever I should then come down without having a fall
I'll get married to the lad I love best
And it's T stands for Thomas, I suppose
J O N stands for John
W E and N stand for my sweet William
Because he is a clever young man
And it's T stands for Thomas, I suppose
J O N stands for John
W E and N stand for my sweet William
Because he is a clever young man